Herb of the Month

Neem

Botanical Name : AZADIRACHTA INDICA
Family Name: MELIACEAE

Part Used:
LEAVES, FLOWER, OIL, SEED, BURK

Origin of Herbs:

Neem is very common tree in India. It is a large
evergreen dense tree growing some 10 to 10.5 meter tall with a
grirth of about 2-3 meter. The leaves of this tree are divided
into numerous leaflets, each resembling a full-grown leaf. The
neem tree has played in Ayurvedic medicines and agriculture since
time immemorial. It is indigenous to south Asia, where up to
twenty million trees line the roads. The tree occurs naturally in
the Deccan peninsula, but it is cultivated allover India.

Healing power:

Neem tree is generally considered to be an air
purifier and preventive against malarial fever, acne , pimples and
cholera. All parts of the tree possess medicinal properties. The
leaves are useful in relieving flatulence, promoting the removal
of catarrhal matter and phlegm from the bronchial tubes, and in
increasing secretion and discharge of urine. They also acts act as
an insecticide. The bark is a bitter tonic and a stimulant. It
arrests secretion and bleeding besides counter acting any
spasmodic disorders.

Neem Leaf Ingredients:

20 percent fibre

0 percent carbohydrates

15 percent proteins

5 percent fat

8 percent ash

2 percent calcium & contains essential amino
acids

The known amino acid content of the leaf and
the percentages are:

alanine-1.2

aspargine-3.4

aspartic-2.7

cystine-3.3

glutamic acid-3.1

isoleucine-1.0

phenylaline-3.2

proline-2.1

threonine-2.4

tryptophan-1.4

taurine-.7

valine-2.9

Major concentrations of the active compounds
are found in the seed and oil though most are also found in
the leaf and bark but in lesser amounts.

Skin Disorder:

The leaves applied externally are very useful in
skin diseases. They are especially beneficial in the treatment of
acne , pimples, boils, chronic ulcers, eruptions of small pox,
swelling and wounds. An ointment prepared from Neem leaves is very
effective in healing ulcers, diabetes, bed sore and wounds.

Eczema:

The bark of the neem tree is used in the treatment
of eczema. About 25grams each of this bark and the mango bark
should be boiled in about 1 liter of water and the vapour allowed
to ferment the affected part. After the fomentation, the affected
part should be anointed with ghee.

Leprosy:

The sap of the Neem tree has been found effective
in leprosy when taken in daily doses of 60 grams. Simultaneously
the patient’s body should be massaged with the sap. This regimen
should be continued for 40 days. If the sap is not available,12
gram of Neem leaves and three decigrams pepper can be ground in
water and taken.

Malaria:

An infusion or a decoction of the fresh leaves is
a bitter vegetable tonic and alternative, especially in chronic
malarial fevers because of its action on the liver. It should be
taken in doses of 15 to 60 grams.

Piles:

Three grams of the inner bark of Neem with 6 grams
of jaggery every morning is a very effective in piles. To check
bleeding piles,3 or 4 Neem fruits can be administered with water.

Hair Disorder:

If there is any hair loss or it has ceased to
grow, washing with the decoction of Neem leaves may help. This
will not only stop hair falling but also help their growth.
Frequent application of Neem oil also destroys insects in the
hair.

Epiphora:

The leaves are beneficial in treating epiphora-
that is watering of the eyes, in which tears flow into the cheeks
due to the obstruction of lacrimalduct . About 250 grams of leaves
should be boiled in one and a quarter liter of water until only a
quarter liter of water is left. This should be filtered and kept
in a well –corked bottle. The eyelids should be painted morning
and evening with this liquid

Oral Disorder:

Cleaning the teeth regularly with a Neem twig
prevents gum diseases. It firms up loose teeth, relieves
toothache, evacuates the bad odour and protects the mouth from
various infections. A Neem twig is considered a very effective
toothbrush, for while its fibers clean, its juice works both as a
mouth freshener, a germ-killing dentifrice & neem twigs also helps
to increase the salivary secreation.

Other Uses:

Neem is very useful at the time of childbirth.
Administration of the juice of Neem leaves to the woman in labour
before child birth produces normal contraction in the uterus and
prevents possible inflammation .It corrects bowls movements and
checks onset of fevers, thereby facilitating the normal delivery.
The use of tepid decoction of Neem leaves as a vaginal douche
heals any wounds caused during delivery and disinfects the vaginal
passage. Neem is also a powerful insecticide to kill soil
nematodes and other plant parasites and is useful as mosquito
repellant. And Neem juice is used in toothpastes and
contraceptives.

The Neem is also sacred to Manasadevi, queen of the serpents, who
protects people from snakebite and so, is offered Neem leaves at
her altars. It is further believed that if a person lives on food
cooked on a fire of Neem wood, he will be immune to snake venom.